Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and achieve that perfect chewy texture.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the room-temperature unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Once the butter and sugar are creamed, add the mild molasses and the large egg. Mix until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, ground cloves, and freshly ground nutmeg. Make sure there are no lumps in the flour mixture.
Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Gently fold in the finely shaved or grated dark chocolate using a spatula to distribute it evenly.
For even chewier cookies, consider chilling the dough for about 30 minutes (optional).
Using a cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each piece into a ball. Roll the balls in granulated sugar for sparkle and extra sweetness.
Place the cookie balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain soft.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or store for later!